Make sure to place the plants in an area where they will receive enough sunlight.Ĭhoose a large container with sufficient drainage, and fill it with a mixture of soilless potting mix and well-rotted manure or garden compost. However, the introduction of dwarf varieties has made planting these delightful flowers in pots more feasible. Growing Hollyhock Flowers in Containersĭue to their height, growing hollyhocks in containers is not always practical. A hardening-off period is recommended before planting them outside. When planting, gently tease the roots out of the container and plant them in a large enough hole, just below the surface of the soil line. If purchasing plug plants from a nursery or online, they will do best if transplanted to a 4-inch container first to allow healthy root establishment, before being planted outside. If there is no avoiding the windy conditions, stake them to prevent them from falling over. Make sure to choose a site that isn’t too exposed to the wind. Hollyhocks plants and seedlings growing in pots can be planted at any time of the year, however, they perform best when planted during the spring or fall. Pink, White, Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Brown Single varieties are attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds! So these are great candidates for pollinator gardens! Plant Facts Scientific name Hollyhock flowers can come in either single or double form and can be white, pink, red, purple, yellow, or orange. There are hollyhocks still growing today in the Monticello gardens which could very well be descended from those grown by the former U.S. These lovely plants have a long-standing history, Thomas Jefferson grew them in his Monticello home, with an entry in his garden diary in 1782 depicting a calendar of their blooming times. It should be noted that hollyhocks may be listed under the name Althaea in some nurseries. This is in reference to the medicinal properties hollyhocks possess. The genus name Alcea comes from the Greek word “altho”, meaning to heal. came from, and the Anglo-Saxon word “hoc”. Some say it is derived from the word holy, referring to the Holy Land (Palestine) where the first specimens to have been introduced to the U.K.
However, the origins of the common name “hollyhock” are debated. rosea is thought to have originated in China, India, and Pakistan. Grow them in beds and borders of cottage-style gardens, along with peonies and foxgloves for a lovely display! HistoryĪ. They have long, straight stems bearing delightful flowers that bloom for a long period over the summer and fall. Hollyhocks are hugely popular plants and are garden favorites. However, they readily self-seed so they can persist for years in the garden. They are part of the Malvaceae family, which also contains Mallows and Hibiscus, and are classified as biennials, or short-lived perennials. Alcea rosea is commonly known as hollyhocks and are lovely flowering plants belonging to the genus Alcea.